Klopp has given an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of tonight’s massive match at Anfield
There’s been no real update on squad fitness ahead of the Dortmund return leg this evening since the 4-1 victory on Sunday, but Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that, aside from those already missing, there are no new injury worries.
That will no doubt be music to fans (and manager’s) ears, as the Reds look to knock the Europa League favourites out of a competition that looked to have little significance for Liverpool at the start of the season.
Speaking to the assembled press ahead of the match (via Liverpoolfc.com), Klopp said: “All of them [are fit], nothing happened really after the Stoke game. I have heard nothing so everything is OK.
“In a perfect world, each player is in the best shape he can be in. You have always more than 11 players, so there are always difficult decisions. This situation is more of a moment where you can make no mistakes as a manager [because] each player you take and bring into the line-up is in good shape, so that’s good news.
“It will be not too difficult [to pick a line-up], it’s only difficult for the players to accept in moments like this that they are not in the line-up because they feel good and they feel confident. If you are not involved in a game, not even in the squad, that’s the problem.
“It’s not difficult that I don’t know who to bring into the game. It’s more than 11 players, more than 16 players, in a good shape and that’s good news – and that’s all.”
Of course, the biggest bonus for the manager from the win against Stoke at the weekend, is the fact that he was able to make 7 changes from the side that drew the first leg last week. And while not all may have rested for 90 minutes, most were able.
That will make a huge difference to the side he chooses tonight too, with most expecting Klopp to stick with a mostly ‘as you were, lads’ side from the game last Thursday, with the only real question being: will Sturridge and Origi start?
Whichever side Klopp chooses, there’s no doubting the player will give their all, with the prospect of a second final of the season just a couple more games away.
How would you line up tonight, would Sturridge and Origi start in your preferred team? Let us know your thoughts below.
